Motor Codes has appointed Ron Gainsford OBE, Chief Executive of Trading Standards Institute (TSI), as Chairman of the Independent Compliance Assessment Panel (ICAP).
ICAP supervises the work of Motor Codes as part of government requirements for Motor Codes’ self-regulation of the automotive retail, service and repair and warranty sectors.
Taking up his position in the New Year, Ron will work to ensure ICAP’s continued, effective monitoring of each Code, concentrating efforts on the growth of the Service and Repair Code and ensuring subscriber standards continue to be met and maintained.
Ron takes over the position from retiring industry stalwart, Alec Murray, at a time when Motor Codes subscription levels have exceeded 6,500 and the satisfaction level of customers of those garages has reached 95%. Murray’s stewardship has been crucial in the formation of today’s widely respected industry Codes and paves the way for Motor Codes to extend its reach, setting the bar on operational standards across a greater proportion of the UK garage network.
Stressing the significance of the new appointment, Motor Codes Director, Chris Mason said, “Government and industry already recognise Motor Codes’ achievements in raising standards for the motorist, through self-regulation. Now, with Ron’s Trading Standards expertise, we will bring about even greater peace of mind for motorists, while delivering an environment within which the best businesses can flourish.”
Ron has welcomed the opportunity to further support Motor Codes, “The Trading Standards Institute has worked with the automotive industry for many years now, to encourage and support improvement in its transactions with consumers. We want to continue to see progress and for consumers and the sector to benefit from the growing confidence that the robust and successful Motor Codes will bring to the market. At a time of extraordinary economic challenge the need for mutual confidence can rarely have been more important.”
ICAP acts as a check and balance on the operations of Motor Codes and fulfils government requirement for an independent monitoring and compliance board. Meeting quarterly, to assess the performance of subscribers and review Code content, ICAP identifies Code breaches and imposes sanctions for non-compliance. It also acts as an advisory body, making recommendations on current best practice, with a view to minimising inconvenience to the motorist.
For maximum transparency and accountability, the Chairman is joined for meetings by four delegates, selected from a pool that includes experts from across the automotive sector, as well as professionals from the wider business world. Findings of each meeting are available as public documents and form the basis of the Motor Codes Annual Report.
For further information on Motor Codes and the standards it sets, as well as how to subscribe to the Code, visit http://www.motorcodes.co.uk/.
